Abstract
The problem of intensive pollution of the Caspian Sea has been continued to be one of the most significant and serious for the region.The rising of pollution level of the Caspian Sea coast with oil hydrocarbons has a particular concern.The purpose of this paper is to assess the pollution degree of the Caspian coast with petroleum hydrocarbons.The idea of the author is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the environmental destructive factors of the oil production process on natural complexes, including the effect of chemical pollution of the water basin with petroleum hydrocarbons on local hydrobionts.Methods of mathematical modeling of the oil films spreading on the water surface aimed to the prediction of the influence area, and methods of toxicological studies and assessment of the dose-effect relationship have been used.It was determined that the waters of the Caspian Sea, associated with offshore oil production, are areas of increased environmental risk.In the cases the concentration of hydrocarbons is above 1 mg / l, physiological changes are observed in the majority of dominant groups of hydrobionts.Areas of increased risk level for marine ecosystems caused by gas and oil industry development are connected with north and west-south parts of the Caspian Sea.The obtained results can be used to develop programs to ensure the environmental safety of the studied region.